Bowlz Barwon Heads

Bowlz is a casual, coastal breakfast cafe on Barwon Heads' main strip at 66 Hitchcock Avenue, built around acai and smoothie bowls, banana bread and decent coffee. The draw for dog owners is simple: the outdoor footpath seating out the front is dog-welcome, and the Barwon River front is a short walk away for a leg-stretch either side of your bowl. It runs 7am to 3pm on weekdays and 8am to 3pm on weekends, mornings and lunch only.

The dog setup

Dogs join you at the footpath tables out the front; the indoor space is not the spot for them. Staff have a friendly reputation with pets and can usually sort a water bowl, but bring your own collapsible one to be safe. The frontage is compact, so on busy weekends you may be sharing the pavement with a queue, which is worth thinking about if your dog needs space.

Worth knowing

The kitchen leans healthy: acai and smoothie bowls, banana bread and cake, with vegan and gluten-free options that get steady praise, and falafel appearing in the savoury picks. Hours shift on public holidays, so check before a special trip.

Make a day of it

The Barwon River front and the Ewing Blyth Drive path are a short walk away for an on-lead wander before or after, and the rest of Hitchcock Avenue is an easy stroll with more outdoor tables to duck into. Street parking runs along Hitchcock Avenue but fills on weekends and through summer; side streets like Bridge Road are usually easier. For a sit-down lunch alternative, Tommy Gunns Barwon Heads is on the same strip, and Seahaven Village suits an overnight stay with the dog. More options are under Victorian dog friendly cafes and the Barwon Heads guide.